A comparative study was made between the computer simulation programs Freq10 and Flexsyt-I concerning the simulation of "Lanes for Specific Target Groups" (SDG lanes). The reason for this study was an investigation conducted into utilization measures on the motorway between the cities of Gouda and The Hague (situated in the western part of the Netherlands). It was found that the simulation of a SDG lane using Freq10 caused some problems. The question to be answered is whether the program Flexsyt-I will provide a valuable alternative. In order to give an answer to this question, both computer programs are judged on their possibilities regarding the simulation of the traffic operation on motorways. Both programs are considered to be useful for this. In comparing both programs, three models were set up: the basic model with only an access and exit road, the second model with an access and exit road and a SDG lane on the right side of the motorway, and the third model with an access and exit road and a SDG lane on the left side of the motorway. The results are as follows: (1) Using Freq10 and Flexsyt-I, the simulations for the basic model appear to correspondent reasonably well to each other; (2) The simulations for the second model can only be done by making use of the program Flexsyt-I, because it is not possible to use Freq10 to model a SDG lane on the right side of the motorway; (3) Great similarities are found in the results of the simulations for the third model. It appears from this that there is no difference between the traffic operation on a SDG lane located on the left side and on the right side, in case of a low intensity/capacity ratio. The traffic operation on the SDG lane on the left side will become worse than such a lane on the right side, when the intensity/capacity ratios are higher. It is concluded that the simulation of the traffic operation on motorways using Flexsyt-I is quite possible.
Abstract